Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think perhaps WFH might need encouraged again for a while

282 replies

MrsMillhouse · 29/03/2026 21:29

The news refers to petrol shortages. Not sure if it’s just headlines or clickbait. But if there are going to be shortages, surely the government should be starting to encourage WFH and using public transport where possible

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 29/03/2026 23:20

Mightneedencouraged · 29/03/2026 23:09

Same - I don't tend to go in because my current boss gets this but as soon as she moves on which must inevitably happen it's a worry.

Annoying thing is if we didn't have to do stuff that doesn't matter either way the people who need/want the petrol would have more.

Show quote history

I have flexible working down to 40% attendance rather than 50%as a reasonable adjustment. I worry it won’t always be allowed.

HJBeans · 29/03/2026 23:18

ShakyBake · 29/03/2026 21:37

How about using some of that oil in the north sea?

  1. it would take 5-10 years to see any of it due to industrial timelines for getting to it / extracting it / refining it

  2. it’s bloody expensive compared to cleaner alternatives we can build faster

  3. the companies excavating it would sell it on global markets to the highest bidder, so it would make them richer but not make us any more secure

What would make us more secure is if we had cheap and abundant local power sources with no fuel cost linked to global markets - something like lots of solar and wind and the storage (like batteries) needed to hang onto it for when we need it.

That’s what we’re trying to build now, but it’s challenging when public opinion is driven by profiteering oil and gas companies who don’t want us to be free of them and far-right influencers they bankroll to make clean, local power into another front in the culture wars.

Happyjoe · 29/03/2026 23:17

MrsMillhouse · 29/03/2026 23:15

I’ve seen a few pumps out of action locally. No big queues or anything: so doesn’t look like any panic buying

Show quote history

Read just today that panic buying is shutting some stations temporarily. People are their own worst enemies eh?

Original poster
MrsMillhouse · 29/03/2026 23:15

LondonRidge · 29/03/2026 23:10

Where are these restrictions, has anyone actually seen any??

All normal round here (near London not in it)

I’ve seen a few pumps out of action locally. No big queues or anything: so doesn’t look like any panic buying

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 29/03/2026 23:13

UncharteredWaters · 29/03/2026 22:43

Or you know what, maybe Trump just needs to stop screwing the rest of the world with his ridiculous actions!

This would be really good!

begonefoulclutter · 29/03/2026 23:11

Nat6999 · 29/03/2026 22:59

What annoys me is the fact that they fuel being sold at the pumps now was bought months ago at a much lower price but they are overcharging for it.

That's not necessarily how it works. I read an article the other day that explained it, but I'm darned if I can remember where.

LondonRidge · 29/03/2026 23:10

Where are these restrictions, has anyone actually seen any??

All normal round here (near London not in it)

Mightneedencouraged · 29/03/2026 23:09

BashfulClam · 29/03/2026 23:08

I would love to wfh permanently. I’m neurodiverse and the office exhausts and stresses me.

Same - I don't tend to go in because my current boss gets this but as soon as she moves on which must inevitably happen it's a worry.

Annoying thing is if we didn't have to do stuff that doesn't matter either way the people who need/want the petrol would have more.

BashfulClam · 29/03/2026 23:08

I would love to wfh permanently. I’m neurodiverse and the office exhausts and stresses me.

ScrambledEggs12 · 29/03/2026 23:05

JeepersItsTheKraken · 29/03/2026 22:03

Not if you're Scottish

Show quote history

Or from Cumbria

Happyjoe · 29/03/2026 23:03

WhatAMarvelousTune · 29/03/2026 22:58

I bet you use your sprinkler in a hosepipe ban, don’t you. Because you figure you pay for it therefore you can use what you like.
You’re not arguing that it wouldn’t be necessary. You’re arguing me me me.

And no one is suggesting doing it would be to help Trump.

Show quote history

Deffo the sort of person who bought too much toilet roll and pasta in lockdown!

MasterBeth · 29/03/2026 23:03

YourGiddyGreyHelper · 29/03/2026 22:33

Usage in Northern Ireland (and I believe Scotland) would be "needs encouraged". "Needs encouraging" is I think a northern English thing and sounded really weird to me when I first heard it.

No, "needs encouraging" is standard English.

Happyjoe · 29/03/2026 23:02

Nat6999 · 29/03/2026 22:59

What annoys me is the fact that they fuel being sold at the pumps now was bought months ago at a much lower price but they are overcharging for it.

Yep, that's pants and they're never quick to lower it again after prices go down.

Happyjoe · 29/03/2026 23:01

gamerchick · 29/03/2026 22:17

Because there's not enough and doesnt belong to us?

Show quote history

I think some of it does belong to the UK - my dad worked for BP some years back (70's) and we ended up living in Norway because of his job for a couple years.

But agree there isn't enough anyway and no new licenses were granted to drill for more, and would take years anyway.

Nat6999 · 29/03/2026 22:59

What annoys me is the fact that they fuel being sold at the pumps now was bought months ago at a much lower price but they are overcharging for it.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 29/03/2026 22:58

MrsClattenburg · 29/03/2026 22:23

What should I have to WFH (not seeing my friends and having a rubbish work/life balance) for the sake of Trump who started this shitty war of his own accord? Nope, I'll continue to use my car when I want to, thank you.

I bet you use your sprinkler in a hosepipe ban, don’t you. Because you figure you pay for it therefore you can use what you like.
You’re not arguing that it wouldn’t be necessary. You’re arguing me me me.

And no one is suggesting doing it would be to help Trump.

SurreySenMum26 · 29/03/2026 22:57

gamerchick · 29/03/2026 22:53

Bewrick Hill Morrisons apparently.

I'd actually like to know if it's real if anyone lives near there.

Show quote history

But how can they police that? You could fill up by making two trips or by popping in a few days on the trot? Seems pretty pointless.

Original poster
MrsMillhouse · 29/03/2026 22:57

LightYearsAgo · 29/03/2026 22:52

Some of us 😂? You know this is a worldwide site, right?

The impression I get from threads on here is that most posters either already work from home or do jobs that can't be done from home so I'm not sure what scope there is for encouraging more

Show quote history

No, really??!! I can’t believe that there are more than a handful of mumsnetters from outwith Scotland

OP posts:
LightYearsAgo · 29/03/2026 22:57

gamerchick · 29/03/2026 22:53

Bewrick Hill Morrisons apparently.

I'd actually like to know if it's real if anyone lives near there.

Show quote history

It's strange that the £is after the number, surely Morrison's know how prices work

gamerchick · 29/03/2026 22:53

PinkKimono · 29/03/2026 22:44

Where is that photo from, gamerchick?

Show quote history

Bewrick Hill Morrisons apparently.

I'd actually like to know if it's real if anyone lives near there.

Unluckycat1 · 29/03/2026 22:53

Have a long commute to teach in a secondary school. No other way to get to work. I agree that those who can WFH should be allowed/encouraged if fuel shortages kick in :(

LightYearsAgo · 29/03/2026 22:52

MrsMillhouse · 29/03/2026 22:26

I’m Scottish. might need encouraged is very commonly used in Scotland: appreciate that some of you may live outwith Scotland

Some of us 😂? You know this is a worldwide site, right?

The impression I get from threads on here is that most posters either already work from home or do jobs that can't be done from home so I'm not sure what scope there is for encouraging more

noblegiraffe · 29/03/2026 22:49

Some government minister the other day said that the UK makes more than enough petrol and exports the rest.

Thecows · 29/03/2026 22:49

Viviennemary · 29/03/2026 22:46

Online shopping saves fuel I'd say.

Show quote history

Definitely

Viviennemary · 29/03/2026 22:46

PermanentTemporary · 29/03/2026 21:35

Less online shopping would probably make more difference. But yes, I agree.

Online shopping saves fuel I'd say.

Swipe left for the next trending thread